He says he still believes in the almighty Allah, but cannot say for sure who God really is. "I am," he says, "a Christian and I believe in Jesus Christ." Rahman reportedly converted more than 16 years ago after spending time working in Germany.

Officials say his family, who remain observant Muslims, turned him over to the authorities.

Prosecuting attorney Abdul Wasi told the judge that the punishment should fit the crime. He says Rahman is a traitor to Islam and is like a cancer inside Afghanistan. Under Islamic law and under the Afghan constitution, he says, the defendant should be executed.

If convicted, the case could ultimately force President Hamid Karzai's direct intervention. The president would have to sign the papers authorizing Rahman's execution, a move that could jeopardize Mr. Karzai's standing with human rights groups and Western governments.

But political analysts here in Kabul say he will be under significant pressure from the country's hard-line religious groups to make an example of Rahman.

Muslim apostasy is illegal and is often punishable by death in almost every Muslim country.

FrontPageMag,
Muslim Apostasy: When Silence Isn't Golden

Even in Muslim states that don’t officially prohibit conversion out of Islam, the legal system is often used against those who leave the faith. In Egypt, for example, the government refuses to issue new identification papers to converts that reflect their new religion. Without new identification papers, converts’ children must be raised Muslim and the converts have to live their lives as though they were still Muslim. Those who attempt to raise their children in their new faith when their papers list their religion as Islam may be charged with blasphemy. Because of this, apostates in Egypt are routinely charged with falsifying documents.

This is why you do not see moderate Muslims protesting against the terrorist tactics of Islamic extremists. They cannot claim that this is not Islam because it is, yet they cannot turn away from their religion in protest for fear of reprisal and death. They are stuck being Muslims. The educated, civilized Muslim is forced to pretend that he is Muslim for fear of persecution he would face at the hands of either the state or his fellow Muslims even if he lives in a non-Muslim country.

Modern, civilized nations should condemn this barbaric and immoral treatment of Muslim apostates. How can someone who is born into Islam ever be able to follow his conscience and leave this vicious, cruel, and ancient religion?

I do not like the UN at all, however they did do one thing right: On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 18:

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Please sign the petition to save Abdul Rahman's life and here's an e-mail campaign to President Bush.